DRUGS FOR FIESTA. Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) conduct an inventory of illegal drugs confiscated in a buy-bust operation by the agency and the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office at Lawaan 2 village, Talisay City on Monday (Oct. 15, 2019). PIB chief, Lt. Col. Marlu Conag said the PHP2.4-million confiscated shabu was meant to flood Talisay City during its fiesta celebration. (Photo from PDEA-7 Facebook page)
TALISAY CITY, Cebu – The chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) in Cebu has commended intelligence operatives for successfully preventing PHP2.4-million worth of illegal drugs from flooding this city during its annual fiesta celebration on Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Marlu Conag, chief of the PIB, said the anti-illegal drug buy-bust operation on Monday against several drug personalities in this city was meant to prevent the influx of drugs while the city is celebrating the fiesta in honor of its patron saint, St. Teresa of Avila.
“Pista karon sa Talisay. Gusto nato’g peaceful ang pag-celebrate sa pista. So we conducted several covert operations. Isa sa mga operation na ginawa natin is the denial of possible influx of illegal drugs in the city,” Conag said in a radio interview.
The PIB and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) arrested 12 drug personalities last Saturday.
On Monday dawn, the PIB was able to arrest Lyndon Lastimosa alias Dondon, an alleged member of the Franz Sabalones drug group.
In August 2016, Sabalones surrendered to former Philippine National Police chief, now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the headquarters in Camp Crame. He was reportedly killed in May this year in Quezon City.
Conag said the operatives also arrested Rogelio Delubio, a high-value target listed by the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), who was the subject of a buy-bust operation in Sitio Regner Compound, Lawaan 2 village in this city.
Also arrested were Anthony Rijan, John Amion, and Rex Aldia.
Aldia was hospitalized after jumping from a roof to escape the lawmen. He was found by the police after passing out, with injured feet.
Conag said the operatives confiscated from the suspects a total of 360 grams of shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of PHP2.4 million.
He confirmed that the confiscated drugs were meant for distribution during Talisay's fiesta celebration. (PNA)
